Turkey: Families continue sit-in against PKK on day 379

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey

A long-running sit-in by families whose children have been kidnapped by YPG/PKK terrorists entered its 379th day on Tuesday.

The protest began on Sept. 3 last year in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir, when Fevziye Cetinkaya, Remziye Akkoyun, and Aysegul Bicer said their children had been forcibly recruited by YPG/PKK terrorists.

The sit-in outside the office of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) -- which the government accuses of having links to the YPG/PKK terror group -- has been growing every day.

The grieving demonstrators have vowed to continue the sit-in until every family is reunited with their children.

One mother, Solmaz Ovunc, said her son Baran was kidnapped and taken to the mountains by the YPG/PKK and HDP five years ago when he was only 15 years old.

The distressed mother said she would not leave the protest until she was reunited with his son.

"HDP members of parliament come to the office through the front door but exit through the back door. We saw their dirty faces today. We want their representatives to come and make a statement to us," said Ovunc.

Offenders in Turkey linked to terrorist groups who surrender are eligible for possible sentence reductions under a repentance law.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.

* Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur